Hello everyone, first post! I built my first pool a year ago. Had an uneventful first season. We live in Central Texas and each spring our cars are caked in pollen... so that why I didn't think much of the "pollen" in the pool this spring. It couldn't be algae, because algae is slimily, right? Well, I now realize that I am likely dealing with mustard algae. It is mostly present on shaded walls. There could be a whole other series of posts that cover how I think I got here and what to do about water balance (CYA too high and pool store constantly telling me to raise alkalinity), but let's focus on one thing first: my pool brush... and other pool equipment / toys.
I am currently going through attempt #1 of trying to brush and shock the algae out of the pool. We'll see how that turns out over the next few days. But one thing I am worried about is re-introducing algae to the pool. As I read across the internet, I see people talk about washing swim suits, cleaning pool toys, etc. Based on what I read, I did put my brush, leaf net, and pole in the pool when I shocked it. But being paranoid and obsessive, I'm wondering if that is good enough. On my pool brush, the base of the some of the bristles are discolored orange (see picture). I'm pretty sure they have been this way since last year, but I can't be sure. Do you guys think this is algae? If not, what could it be? And more in general... how paranoid should I be about reintroducing algae via pool equipment and/or toys?
I am currently going through attempt #1 of trying to brush and shock the algae out of the pool. We'll see how that turns out over the next few days. But one thing I am worried about is re-introducing algae to the pool. As I read across the internet, I see people talk about washing swim suits, cleaning pool toys, etc. Based on what I read, I did put my brush, leaf net, and pole in the pool when I shocked it. But being paranoid and obsessive, I'm wondering if that is good enough. On my pool brush, the base of the some of the bristles are discolored orange (see picture). I'm pretty sure they have been this way since last year, but I can't be sure. Do you guys think this is algae? If not, what could it be? And more in general... how paranoid should I be about reintroducing algae via pool equipment and/or toys?
